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Thursday, September 23, 2010

On Tuesday I received my package of new October Afternoon papers, and yesterday I got down to work. I love October Afternoon so much! As far as I’m concerned, they can do no wrong. Fun, vibrant colours, retro prints and images… It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

Anyway, soliloquy aside, I got down to it yesterday afternoon. I managed to get two layouts done, a personal best for a while now. The first is my August in review, which is about my move to Tassie. Of course – I don’t shut up about it while talking to other people, so why would I not harp on about it in my scrapbooking? I’ve used a terribly cute toy mirror that I bought from a craft show a couple of months ago, and also some flowers I’ve crafted from some scraps I had from a bag I’d made the other night. I was inspired by a friend who is in the process of making a rag rug, and have made the flowers in a similar fashion.

When I first saw these papers, I really dug them, but wasn’t sure what I’d use them for. There’s a total beach theme happening (funnily enough this range is called "Seaside"), and I wanted to continue that. However, being as fair skinned and temperamental as I am, I’m not much of a beachgoer. To me, the beach in summer is a whimsical and foreign concept… “You mean, you actually go out – in the SUN?!?”. Therefore, beach photos are a bit thin on the ground. But the other night I walked into my room, and glanced at the photos hanging above my bed. I have various photos of friends there, but the one that caught my eye was one of my friend Jake – at a beach. Late 2008, Jake and I went on an epic road trip that took us from Darwin to western Sydney, via Hervey Bay. This photo in particular was taken during our few days in Hervey Bay, when we’d gone exploring the locale. I’ve always really liked it because he didn’t know I was taking it, and thereby wasn’t able to be a smart ass and ruin the picture. I didn’t want to go over the top with the embellishments and go all girly on it (I think the checked background is quite masculine. I also didn’t think Jake would appreciate being on a feminine layout) so I’ve been relatively restrained. Plus I couldn’t find any other appropriate embellishments.

I can’t believe September is nearly over. I am going to be horribly clichéd here and say it – the year goes by so quickly! I’m quite eager for October to arrive though, as I’m going away on a craft weekend to Port Sorrell. “Where’s that?” you ask. I’m not sure. East somewhere. But anyway, I’ve been attending a weekly craft group called Stitch ‘N’ Bitch, and they’ve organised a lovely crafty weekend away. It involves a trip to the RSL, drinking, hopefully a tribute band, sewing, op-shopping, and general craftiness and gossiping. I’m very excited about the prospect of it, and have bought a dress pattern in preparation. I have no idea what else I’ll work on while I’m there, so I’m going to have to do some serious brainstorming over the next week. And also find some fabric to make my lovely 60’s swing dress from. Ahhhh, Stitch ‘N’ Bitch – where would I be without you?

I've added some extra pages to my blog, featuring Ye Olde stuff that I have crafted over the past year or so. Check it out!

Friday, September 17, 2010

So, I seem to have had a rabbit themed crafting week. My first project was a bag that I’ve made from some op-shop finds – a tea towel and a pillowcase. This particular project cost a grand total of…… $1. And not only did I get a bag from it, but I also managed to make a bow and a flower to dress it up a bit. Bargain!

My next project was another craft hoop. I found this terribly cute rabbit stencil and just had to use it on something. I’m also loving this polka-dot fabric that I’ve found (another op-shop conquest). It has an almost Alice In Wonderland theme type thing happening, which works for me.

Speaking of rabbits, one of the funniest things I’ve seen while I’ve been here was when I was driving back from Stanley. On the side of the road was a rooster going absolutely apoplectic at something – lots of wing flapping and squawking. I assumed it would be a chicken that would be the target of it’s ire, but no. It was a rabbit. This rabbit had the literal caught in the headlights look, and was darting from side to side, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. I haven’t laughed that hard for a while.

I’ve been in the good old apple isle for a month now, and I have to say that I love it here. I’ve acclimatized quite well (I’ve always been a girl for layering up), I’ve met some awesome people, and I don’t even blink at the really bad ads on TV any more. Well ok, maybe I still do with a couple. But they’re so bad! I’ve never seen so many home-recorded things on TV that feature bogans. Otherwise, this place is great. There’s fabulous scenery wherever you go, plenty of wildlife (although some of it may have anger issues), a plethora of op-shops, and some great cafes. I’ve finally come home.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

I am positively lusting over all things mustard coloured at the moment. It has that hint of vintage, with a twist of summer. I’ve been relatively restrained considering all of the awesome mustard things I’ve found – like a sugar bowl that matches a sugar bowl that I already have. Except it was, of course, mustard instead of blue. But I withheld, conscientious shopper that I am. Ahem.

Among the great mustard articles I’ve found, these are a couple of my favourites. This cute-as-a-button bag from Etsy. I always carry a tote bag, and manage to fill it most times. This bag is both big enough for all of the detritus that life seems to collect, and still completely awesome.

And of course, this collar from Hand Hook Yarn. I originally came across a picture of it in Frankie magazine (which happens to be the best magazine in the world), and did some internet sleuthing until I found where I could purchase such a rad item. I love these collars – they’re so unusual! But definitely cool.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

So, it was a very miserable weekend, weatherwise. On Saturday, we experienced an entire day of sideways rain, and Sunday gave us gale force winds. However, I can’t help but think that this sort of weather is just telling you to busy yourself around inside the house (or lay under your quilt for the entire day with a good book – it’s a very mixed message that’s being sent).

After indulging in some of the latter, I decided to get crafting. My second craft hoop received a bit of attention – this time with embroidery (using embroidery in an embroidery hoop? It’s so crazy it might just work…), and a lovely little stencil I got off my favourite stencilry site.

And for my next project *drum roll* I made a couple of clutch purses. The patterns were taken from the Meet Me At Mikes craft book, which I absolutely adore. I only felt my brain imploding during one part of the instructions which is pretty good for me. They’re terribly cute, and I’ve already thought up some variations to be made on future purses.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Having been in Tasmania for a couple of weeks now, and getting Crowded House getting stuck in my head almost every day, I’ve learnt a little something about the winter weather here. It has a serious personality disorder. One minute it’ll be sunny, and then you’ll walk into a shop, walk back out and the sky is black. It’ll start raining, and it’ll clear within a couple of minutes. And oh, there’s the sun again. Hang on, is that sleet? All within the span of a couple of minutes you’ve gone through, yes that’s right, four seasons. And so it continues for the rest of the day. It leads to much wardrobe confusion and a distinct feeling of unease, as you wonder if the weather has it in for you…

Which leads me to my next lesson I’ve learnt – one cannot be too precious about their hair-do here. Having been a slave to my hair straightener for years, it’s been a difficult learning curve for me. But regardless of how much time you put into a do, or how much product you use, as soon as you go outside the weather has decided upon a new style for you. And it generally falls somewhere in between bedraggled and windswept. I just thank whatever deity (or designer) saw fit to put hoods on clothing. I may look like a sullen teenager while strolling the streets here, but at least I manage to retain some semblance of dignity, hair-wise.

I’ve started getting back into crafting after having a hiatus over the madness that was the massive move. I started getting all restless, and as we all know that idle hands are the devils playpen, I thought I should use my powers for good. The first craftiness is an embroidery hoop that I’ve used gorgeous vintage-style fabric in, with a few embellishments thrown in for good measure. I’ve been meaning to do some embroidery hoops for decorative purposes for a while now, and finally got around to it a couple of weeks ago. I have another one laying around waiting for divine inspiration. Soon, my pretty, soon.

And I’ve also done a scrapbooking layout for the month of July. I’m part of a group on The Boxx where we’ve started the year by doing a layout on our goals for the year, and then at the end of each month you do a layout on that month in review. Regardless of whether the month saw good or bad things happening, it’s a way to recognize what happened, and move on to what the next month may hold. It’s a lot of fun, and a great way to keep motivated to do layouts (some may not need motivation, but I tend to slip into lazy-mode if left to my own devices).

With my months in review, I started getting slack with journaling what had taken place during the month, so decided that I’d use the titles to describe the overall feeling or the biggest event of that month.

And as for the papers used… before I moved I stocked up on delicious papers and embellishments from my work (Fred The Needle ), and they’ve been sitting there just begging to be used on something. So I’ve used Echo Park Paper Co.’s “A Walk In The Park” range. It’s just so fun! Add a couple of home-crocheted flowers, and it’s good to go.

At this point I’m a little worried that I may be coming across as some sort of demented craft-salesperson. Or a person doing crafty things with a running monologue, “And now we just add the flower… See how it lifts everything up?!?!?” Rest assured, I’m neither of those things. I’m just a girl with a serious penchant for the hand-made.

I Am...

A twenty-something currently living on the North-West coast of Tasmania. I indulge in a certain amount of craftiness, well-intended rambling, and too much coffee. My name is Sarah - welcome to my world.